If Stafford has his way, he will be mentioned in the same sentence with the NFL's elite quarterbacks after this season.

New Enlgand's Tom Brady, New Orleans' Drew Brees and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers are often named in the same sentence when NFL observers talk about today's premier passers. Each quarterback has a Super Bowl ring, and all have been incredibly consistent as starters throughout their career.

Stafford is optimistic his name will enter that sentence soon enough. He will take that next step when the Detroit Lions host St. Louis in Sunday's season opener.

"Definitely. Absolutely," Stafford said. "I think you play this game to try to be the best. That's as a team and as an individual. If you're doing everything you can to help the team, and your team is winning, you're naturally going to be mentioned in those regards.

"Obviously, that is something I would definitely like."

If Stafford can duplicate last year's success, it might happen.

Stafford threw for 5,038 yards, 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions prior to the playoffs. He is only the fourth player to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season. Brees has done it twice, (2008 and 2011), while Brady (5,235 yards in 2011) and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino (5,084 yards in 1984) are on that list.

He also led Detroit to a 10-6 regular season record and playoff berth in 2011.